Optometrist Hourly Pay in Santa Cruz, CA: $60.47 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a optometrist working in Santa Cruz, CA runs $60.47 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $125,766 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Weighted against Santa Cruz's regional price level (BEA RPP 109.9, 10% above national), each hour of work buys what $55.02 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $75,465 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Santa Cruz, California, optometrists earn a median hourly rate of $60.47, which falls short of the national median of $67.60. This hourly figure reflects the economic landscape for optometrists in a region with varying employment types, including private optometry practices, retail optical chains, and hospital settings. For those working part-time at around three days per week, or engaging in per-diem roles within this sector, the hourly pay allows for flexible scheduling. The salary range for optometrists in Santa Cruz extends from $41.07 at the entry-level (10th percentile) to approximately $81.60 for the top earners (90th percentile), providing a breadth of opportunities for practitioners at different stages of their careers. This information is derived from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data projected to 2026.
Optometrist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41.07 | $328.57 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $57.36 | $458.87 |
| Median (P50) | $60.47 | $483.75 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $75.46 | $603.68 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $81.60 | $652.77 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Santa Cruz
Based on $60.47/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $60.47/hr, a optometrist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Santa Cruz, CA can expect to earn approximately $125,774 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $72,562. With a cost-of-living index of 109.90 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Santa Cruz.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Santa Cruz
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,418.74 | $10,481 | $125,774 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,451.24 | $6,289 | $75,465 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $967.49 | $4,192 | $50,310 |
Compare OD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Optometrist (Santa Cruz) | $60.47 |
| Dentist, General (National Avg) | $79.54 |
| Pharmacist (National Avg) | $66.51 |
| Opticians, Dispensing (National Avg) | $21.11 |
| Physician Assistant (National Avg) | $64.13 |
Optometrists in Santa Cruz, CA earn a median of $125,766 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.56% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 9.70% below the California state average of $139,275.
Optometrist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $60.47/hr = $75,465/year (purchasing power: $68,669).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $125,774/year (purchasing power: $114,448).
CoL index: 109.896 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$54.24/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$58.73/hr
2026 Current Est.
$60.47/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+14.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Optometrists in Santa Cruz (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54.24/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $57.57/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $58.18/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $51.02/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $57.15/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $67.10/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $58.73/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60.47/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62.26/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for optometrists in Santa Cruz grew 8.3% from $54.24/hr (2019) to $58.73/hr (2025). At a 2.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $62.26/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem optometrists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Santa Cruz metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.96% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Optometrist in Santa Cruz
Within the context of part-time work, an optometrist in Santa Cruz who engages in part-time practice averaging 24 hours weekly can anticipate a significant difference in annual income compared to a full-time counterpart. Per-diem positions often yield considerable daily earnings; fill-in optometrists working in retail environments can command between $500 and $800 per day, while those in OD/MD practices might see rates ranging from $700 to $1,200. This compensation structure can be appealing for those seeking flexibility or transitioning into agency roles. Furthermore, hourly rates often shift based on the employer: private practices typically offer lower rates but may provide benefits, whereas retail chains might pay more hourly without health coverage. Optometrists negotiating in this vibrant market should consider the balance of pay versus benefits, particularly as the cost of living index in Santa Cruz exceeds the national average, making it essential to evaluate the total compensation package thoughtfully.
More salary data for Santa Cruz, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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Written by Aisha Patel, OD
Career Analyst
Aisha Patel has 10 years of experience in optometry. She specializes in pediatric vision care. Aisha works in a private practice setting.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.96% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for optometrists in Santa Cruz. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.96%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for optometrists (SOC 29-1041).
Compiled and verified by Aisha Patel, OD, a licensed optometrist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov